China - Zhongguo - The Middle Kingdom

Zhongguo (pronounced Jong-Gwa) is Chinese for China. Literally, it means center country or middle kingdom as some translate more eloquently. The name stems directly from the long-held belief that China was situated at the center of the world with outlying lands surrounding it. Indeed as one of the most prosperous nations in the world up until the last century or two, perhaps it merited this name. Now, after years of obscurity and relative lack of influence, China is witnessing a revolution and the whole world is again eyeing the potential this vast nation possesses and knocking at its doors to get in as it increasingly reclaims its right to global prominence. With China currently the center of attention for businessmen and women, governments, human rights activists, tourists, environmentalists, and even athletes (Beijing Olympics 2008), perhaps China now more than ever merits its self-given distinction as The Middle Kingdom.As an international business major, it’s easy for me to justify spending two years to study Chinese and now living in the country for seven months to learn something more about the language, culture, and Chinese business. All I have to do is cite The World is Flat, One Billion Customers, The Wall Street Journal or any other of the ten thousand current books and publications that reiterate the same theme: China is where it’s at. And although they’re right, and although I’m extremely interested in the incredible economic possibilities China and its investors currently face, I was also drawn to China on another level. Unlike Europe which I have heard described as “like America but strange,” China is worlds apart both in distance, history, and culture. In fact from Columbia, South Carolina, where I study, if I were to dig directly through the Earth, I would probably end up somewhere near Shanghai. This fascination for the unknown coupled with my desire to witness China’s historic transformation drew me The Middle Kingdom. A little bit of spontaneity and a huge love for Chinese food contributed too.Now I’ve been in China for almost two months. I’m currently interning for ZF Industries, a German automotive company for another month in Hangzhou, and then I’m going to Beijing for four months to study Chinese at its infamous Beijing University. I will try to keep you up-to-date with my experiences here.